Battell on displayCenter's annual event showcases activities

April 05, 2006|LAUREEN FAGAN Tribune Staff Writer

The annual "Taste of Battell" open house featured the best of Mishawaka's Battell Center -- including a wine-and-cheese reception for those who came to see the artwork, music, dancing and a play. "Our artists are so talented," said director Linda Miller, showing off work by Battell students as well as instructors. "I think a lot of people don't realize what Battell is about," Miller added. The annual open house, she said, "helps the community realize what we have to offer." And the Senior Arts Festival ran the gamut, from watercolors to ballroom dancing, from weight-loss support groups to the In Harmony singers. As Dave Kindig served refreshments, his wife, building manager Becky Kindig, explained that the Taking Off Pounds Sensibly group would offer a short skit, for example. "To give information about who they are and what they do," Kindig explained. Many came, though, to see Battell's Broadway Players perform "The Elder's Last Great Adventure," a readers' theater performance telling the story of seniors embracing new hobbies and challenges. That's why Kara McCrory, a 21-year-old student studying speech pathology in Fort Wayne, was on hand. "My grandma's in the play," McCrory said, nodding toward Josephine Perri in the hall as she looked at a painting. "She came to see all my things when I was a kid," McCrory said. With a chuckle, she added that "next I'll be going to her soccer games." But others, including 65-year-old Bud Van Lear, came to see what activities might interest them at the center. "One of our friends is in the program tonight," said Van Lear, who moved to the area from Chicago a year ago with his wife, Janet. "We hadn't been in here before," he explained, adding that he wanted to see what it was all about. "The artwork is fantastic." At the other end of the hall, Olga Szabo admired the work of instructor Rosemary Bella. "She's got a story behind each one," she said of the works, portraying children, baskets, a dancer adjusting her shoes. Other paintings explored nautical themes, exotic birds and a few street scenes. Charlotte Meller, 64, was impressed as well. "It's showing a lot of the activities and what the seniors can do," Meller explained. Which was the point of the play they were all waiting to see, too -- including James Fuller, 83, of Mishawaka. "My wife is in the play," he said. Lois played the role of Barbara in the story about taking to the road and embracing new activities.Staff writer Laureen Fagan: lfagan@sbtinfo.com (574) 235-6344